Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
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From: The Golden State
Re: Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
I was talking about a Chevy Alpha sedan. I could very easily see Chevrolet using a 2014 Chevy "Alpha" as its NASCAR name-piece for 2013. Its not uncommon for them to show a "future product" as a pre-production prototype well in advance of it being ready for the showroom.
But, if the Chevy "Alpha" doesn't come out until 2015 or 2016, then the obvious choice if not Impala would be Malibu. Camaro is not going to be used in NASCAR... at least not in the Sprint Cup series... other than as a pacecar.
But, if the Chevy "Alpha" doesn't come out until 2015 or 2016, then the obvious choice if not Impala would be Malibu. Camaro is not going to be used in NASCAR... at least not in the Sprint Cup series... other than as a pacecar.
I mistakenly said FWD/AWD instead of RWD/AWD.... sorry.
But, no, the Chevy Alpha certainly will not be in NASCAR for 2013 or even 2014. The car actually has to be in production during the season, and Chevy's Alpha spinoffs aren't due till 2015 or 2016 (2014 or 2015 calender years). Some models are done at the same time as NASCAR versions (ie: the current and the previous Chargers), but no, no future car not in production during that season is run on the track.
It's already been said it's not going to be Impala.
To come right out and say it, that leaves Malibu (if they are talking a new "NASCAR" nameplate), or a Holden (if they are talking an all new nameplate).
FWIW, Camaro would be in a different NASCAR series if Chevy did a template for it, not the main series we're talking about.
Last edited by guionM; Mar 16, 2012 at 04:40 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Frankfort, KY U.S.A.
Re: Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
I was talking about a Chevy Alpha sedan. I could very easily see Chevrolet using a 2014 Chevy "Alpha" as its NASCAR name-piece for 2013. Its not uncommon for them to show a "future product" as a pre-production prototype well in advance of it being ready for the showroom.
But, if the Chevy "Alpha" doesn't come out until 2015 or 2016, then the obvious choice if not Impala would be Malibu. Camaro is not going to be used in NASCAR... at least not in the Sprint Cup series... other than as a pacecar.
But, if the Chevy "Alpha" doesn't come out until 2015 or 2016, then the obvious choice if not Impala would be Malibu. Camaro is not going to be used in NASCAR... at least not in the Sprint Cup series... other than as a pacecar.
As far as the Chevy 100 sedan, in the special Welburn said that car was something that they were working on for 2015.
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Joined: Jun 2000
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From: South Bend , IN
Re: Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
Maybe they are simply just changing the FWD Impala name on the new car. I just can't see something cool popping up out of virtually nowhere... and that press release did just simply say nameplate, thats a pretty wide open door for speculation. I am expecting an overly big deal to made about the nascar body style switching to the 2013 Malibu.
Ive grown tired of "hearing" about possible Commodore based products in the US. GM loves to talk about it and people love to spread rumors about it. But its mostly vaporware, nothing ever happens. I realize its a process getting something over here from AU, but don't play the were thinking about game for years.
Ive grown tired of "hearing" about possible Commodore based products in the US. GM loves to talk about it and people love to spread rumors about it. But its mostly vaporware, nothing ever happens. I realize its a process getting something over here from AU, but don't play the were thinking about game for years.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,705
From: Oakland, California
Re: Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
It occurred to me that we are over thinking this and taking it out of context.
Chevrolet plans on a new nameplate for NASCAR. While Impala, Monte Carlo, Lumina, Chevelle, Biscayne and even Bel Air have all be used in NASCAR history; I don't believe they have ever used "Malibu". While Malibu isn't new in Chevrolet showrooms, it would certainly be a new nameplate for Chevy in NASCAR.
But then so would Caprice.
(But I think it will be the 2013 Chevy Malibu.)
Chevrolet plans on a new nameplate for NASCAR. While Impala, Monte Carlo, Lumina, Chevelle, Biscayne and even Bel Air have all be used in NASCAR history; I don't believe they have ever used "Malibu". While Malibu isn't new in Chevrolet showrooms, it would certainly be a new nameplate for Chevy in NASCAR.
But then so would Caprice.
(But I think it will be the 2013 Chevy Malibu.)
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Jupiter, FL
Re: Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
No, its an all new nameplate.
From car and driver:
From car and driver:
Chevrolet has announced that it will replace its current Impala SS NASCAR Sprint Cup race car for the 2013 season, and that the new car will be based on a vehicle and nameplate new to the brand’s lineup. Although Chevrolet is playing it close to the vest, a PR representative confirmed the following to us: “Neither the car nor its name will be a derivative of an existing one, such as the new Malibu or the upcoming redesigned Impala, but the Chevrolet race car will closely resemble the production version.”
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From: Anchorage, AK
Re: Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
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From: Gotham City
I had an '88 Beretta GT 2.8V6, 5-spd. 4th and 5th were both overdrives and it had a dipstick for the tranny. No one believes me
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From: Oakland, California
Re: Chevy Hints at New Namplate in 2013
Berretta (firearms) owns the name so you'll never see another GM vehicle named Berretta.
Its looking more like it could be a civilian version of the Caprice. (At least two sources have stated that a GM PR person said its not "Malibu".) If so, it could be announced that Caprice will move to North America for production beginning mid 2013 as a 2014 model. We should know within the next few months as testing on the 2013 NASCAR cars steps up.
Its looking more like it could be a civilian version of the Caprice. (At least two sources have stated that a GM PR person said its not "Malibu".) If so, it could be announced that Caprice will move to North America for production beginning mid 2013 as a 2014 model. We should know within the next few months as testing on the 2013 NASCAR cars steps up.